Position papers are written to summarize research and improve writing skills. Students must thoroughly research their assigned country and topic and follow the specified structure. A position paper expresses a country's stance on an issue and proposes solutions. Students will write multiple drafts and receive feedback to strengthen their paper. The standard structure includes an introduction with the country's position, two body paragraphs on related policies, and a conclusion with recommendations. Thorough research, clear organization, and proofreading are keys to a strong position paper.

1. Position Papers
Global Classrooms 2013-2014

2. Why write a position paper?
• For the Comunidad de Madrid
evaluation process
• To summarize your research
• To improve your writing skills
• As a helpful guide for your speech at
the conference

3. In order to begin writing your
position paper, you MUST:
• Have all the necessary research on
your country and topic
• Have specific and focused research
questions
• Continue looking for useful information
and good sources
• FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!

4. What is a position paper?
• An essay that expresses your country’s
position on your topic and proposes
solutions and recommendations for the
future
• It has a very specific structure that you
must follow. We will help you with this,
but you must take responsibility for
producing good writing!

5. How many drafts will you
write?
• At least three, if not more. This process
is just as much about revising as it is
about writing.
• We will give you feedback on each
draft. Read our feedback carefully and
talk to us if you have questions or
concerns!

6. Structure of a Position
Paper
I. Introduction (1 paragraph)
II. Body (2 paragraphs)
III. Conclusion (1 paragraph)

7. I. Introduction
• Brief introduction to the topic in general and a
statement on your country’s position
• For example, Although Novartis is a Swiss
pharmaceutical company, Switzerland has
long advocated for increasing the production
and distribution of generic drugs.

8. II. Background: National and
Foreign Policies on Generic Drugs
• Paragraph 1: Specific actions taken by
your government related to the topic.
– For example, The Indian Supreme Court
recently ruled in favor of generic drug
companies by denying Novartis’ request for
a patent extension.

9. II. Background Continued
• Paragraph 2: Conventions and resolutions
supported by your country, related to your
topic.
• For example, In 2003, President George W.
Bush signed into law the President’s
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),
which allocated billions of dollars for
HIV/AIDS relief and the purchase of
antiretroviral drugs.

10. II. Background Continued
• Paragraph 3: Statistics and quotations from
government officials that express your
country’s policies.
• For example, India produces roughly 80% of
all generic drugs in the world.

11. III. Conclusion
• Your country’s recommendations to the committee on
how to best resolve the issue in the future.
• For example, South Africa advocates for increased
production and distribution of generic drugs so that
developing nations, such as ourselves, can move
closer toward our Millennium Development Goals.

12. Tips for writing a good
position paper
• Use simple language
• Give each separate idea its own
paragraph
• Make sure each paragraph starts with a
topic sentence
• Constantly proofread for mistakes!
• Cite your sources